After a month of fluctuating Google Search organic results, on the 22nd August 2023 the search engine finally confirmed the release of the August 2023 core algorithm update. But what does this mean for websites and SEO results? Read to find out.
Update: The algorithm update has now finished rolling out as of 7th September 2023
Highlights
Google August 2023 Core Algorithm Update
On the 22nd August 2023 Google made an announcement on X and its search updates page that a core update was being rolled out. This is the 2nd core algorithm update this year, the last being in March. This new update is expected to take up to 2 weeks to complete and there is limited information available of exactly what is changing and what the impacts may be:
Several times a year, Google makes significant, broad changes to our search algorithms and systems. We refer to these as core updates, and we give notice when they happen on our list of Google Search ranking updates. Core updates are designed to ensure that overall, we’re delivering on our mission to present helpful and reliable results for searchers.
… One way to think of how a core update operates is to imagine you made a list of the top 100 movies in 2021. A few years later in 2024, you refresh the list. It’s going to naturally change. Some new and wonderful movies that never existed before will now be candidates for inclusion. You might also reassess some films and realize they deserved a higher place on the list than they had before.
The list will change, and films previously higher on the list that move down aren’t bad. There are simply more deserving films that are coming before them.
Google Search Central
Was This Update Expected?
Google does generally release a few of these updates a year and therefore it was speculated that there may be an update coming soon. Adding to this speculation though, initial warning signs from SERP (search engine results pages) volatility sensors which highlighted that search results on Google had been unstable for at least a month previously. This is often a sign of what’s to come.
What Might This Mean For Your Website?
Whenever there is a Google Algorithm Update, there is a chance that your current organic ranking positions on Google search pages can do better or worse.
With the introduction of this latest broad core update by Google, website owners and online businesses should prepare for potential shifts in their search engine rankings and organic traffic. These updates are designed to enhance the overall user experience by refining how Google assesses and ranks web content. While the specifics of the changes are often not explicitly disclosed, it’s important to note that such updates can lead to fluctuations in search engine results pages (SERPs). For some websites, this could mean a boost in visibility and increased traffic, while for others, it might result in a temporary decline.
What Should I Do During the Rollout?
During the roll out we usually recommend just monitoring results as things will continue to fluctuate until the update has completed. There is no point changing things because a page has dropped in rankings, when the next day it could go back up anyway! Once Google has confirmed the update has finished (keep an eye on their search status dashboard), you will have a better understanding of the impact that the update has had on your site and can begin to come up with a strategy and prioritise your next steps (or enjoy your new found organic success if the update went in your favour!)
What to do if your website is negatively impacted?
It is inevitable that some sites are going to see their organic performance decline as a result of this update as there has to always be winners and losers. Google’s advice if your site is negatively impacted is as follows:
- There aren’t specific actions to take to recover. A negative rankings impact may not signal anything is wrong with your pages.
- For some sites though, it may be that your pages need improving, so do review this list of questions on factors to consider if your site is hit by a core update to check if this is the case for your site.
This advice is clearly not clear cut. Ultimately it is a site by site decision. Are you confident in your sites content? Is it meeting Googles E-E-A-T framework? Or is there areas you could improve? There is likely always changes and improvements to be made on any site, so create a strategy to begin doing this, prioritising based on what your business needs or what your website goals are.
If you work with an SEO agency
If you work with an SEO agency (like Solve…) reach out to them about the update to determine their response to algorithm updates. At Solve, we will monitor the impact on each of our SEO monthly clients through out the rollout closely using both SEO tools and analytics tools. Once the rollout is complete we will review the impact on each of our clients individually and if required, create a strategy in response to any negative impacts accordingly.
Concluding thoughts – August 2023 Google Core Algorithm Update
Algorithm updates are something that can never be unexpected in the world of SEO – they the way the internet works. Without them, Google would not be as incredible as it is at delivery users the results they are looking for when they put in a search term, optimised websites would not get the credit they deserve and it would never keep up with the ever changing digital world. Its a bit like pot luck. Maybe your website will be positively impacted and you’ll see great organic success! … but maybe it won’t, and that’s OK too. There is always a solution and a strategy to get your site back on track and even better than it was before.
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